Daughters of Utah Pioneers holds district convention

International DUP Board member Nancy Jo Morrison told local Daughters of Utah Pioneers, “You are a gift to your family, because you care about the history of your family.” 
She challenged members to find ways to help “others claim their heritage.”  
A large group of women from Moab, Monticello and Blanding attended the annual District Convention in Monticello Sept. 11, hosted by the Monticello Camp.
Morrison has written two historical novels, Love and War on the Frontier, which tells her ancestors’ story during the Black Hawk War and Finding Emily, also focusing on one of her great-grandmothers.
“Learn who you are, and where you came from,” she challenged, “and then share it . . . The more children know about their families, the more they understand they belong to something bigger than themselves.” 
Besides writing histories, you can create a historic calendar, honoring relatives, letting it hang in your homes and get acquainted with a new ancestor each month; create shadow boxes with artifacts, and attach a story to identify how it fits into your history. 
She said there are over 40,000 histories on file at the State office of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. 
Monticello DUP mainstay Vernetta Sondregger was honored by the group, with a tribute given by her daughter Relva Bowring. 
Vernetta has served in many capacities during the 30 plus years she has been a member. 
President Sue Ann Slade conducted the meeting, which included treasurers’ reports from each camp, the sharing of pioneer artifacts (butter churns) by Layne Livingston, a beautiful musical numbers by Trent Duke, and duets by Carol Martin and Ellen Nerdin accompanied by Jill Pearson.
A delicious soup and salad buffet was provided by the Monticello camp.
See the San Juan Record website, at www.sjrnews.com for photos of the event.